Master Scheduler III

Element U.S. Space & Defense group; Santa Clarita (CA); Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Disability & Life Insurance

401k with employer match

PTO & holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Lab bonus plans

Flexible schedules

Job summary

Element U.S. Space & Defense is seeking a Master Scheduler III to lead scheduling and capacity planning for complex commercial projects across multiple programs at our Santa Clarita lab.

You will partner with Program Managers, customers, and cross‑functional teams to optimize resources and ensure on-time delivery. The role requires advanced scheduling expertise, strong leadership, and the ability to influence teams in a fast-paced testing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Engineering, Business, or a related field is preferred.
• 5–8 years of scheduling/production planning experience in technical or lab environments.
• Strong ability to read quotes, SOWs, and testing standards.
• Advanced proficiency with scheduling systems (e.g., VLab) and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead scheduling and capacity planning across multiple programs and testing disciplines.
• Oversee accuracy of VLab or equivalent scheduling systems with real-time updates and forecasting.
• Develop and improve scheduling processes, tools, and best practices for efficiency.
• Analyze resource utilization trends and adjust equipment/manpower allocation.
• Escalate complex scheduling conflicts and coordinate cross-functional activities.
• Coordinate with Program Managers and leadership to align with milestones and delivery commitments.
• Monitor timelines and mitigate risks to on-time delivery.
• Build and maintain lab capability and capacity matrices for long-term planning.
• Lead regular schedule review meetings with Operations, Engineering and PM teams.
• Provide guidance to schedulers and coordinators; potential indirect leadership.
• Collaborate with Sales and Engineering on planning inputs and feasibility assessments.
• Communicate schedule performance, risks, and recommendations to leadership.

Skills

Scheduling

Production planning

Program scheduling

Reading SOWs

Scheduling systems

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Operations/Engineering/Business

Tools

VLab

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Active Full-Time Professional Santa Clarita, CA, US

14 days ago Requisition ID: 3075

Salary Range: $96,000.00 To $105,000.00 Annually

About Company:

Element U.S. Space & Defense stands at the forefront of testing innovation, serving as a trusted partner to NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, government agencies, and prominent industry leaders across the space and defense sectors. Founded as NTS Technical Systems, our company brings over 60 years of experience and expertise in handling the most complex projects and programs in the world.

From centrifuge testing for the latest Mars rover, vibration testing for the Space Launch System (SLS), to environmental simulations for next-generation missiles, we are the pioneering partner for highly custom, end-to-end testing design and implementation. By advancing our state-of-the-art testing technologies, subject matter expertise, and service to critical missions, Element U.S. Space & Defense has become the go-to partner for ground-breaking industries.

What We Offer:

Growth & Development:

• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment.
• The chance to work on groundbreaking projects that shape the future of space and defense.
  

Benefits: Employees are eligible to participate in the benefits offered throughout their availability, including the following:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Short- and Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts
• Seven (7) paid holidays and four (4) paid floating holidays, depending on your hire date
• Paid Time Off (PTO), accrued biweekly
• 401k with employer match
• Twelve (12) hours of Paid Volunteer Time Off (PVTO) each year
• Tuition reimbursement and other employee programs
• Flexible schedules offered at some of our labs
• Monthly Lab Bonus plans (Based on position)

Salary:
At EUSSD, compensation is determined through a comprehensive approach that considers candidate qualifications, role responsibilities, market benchmarks, and organizational needs. Pay may vary by location; for this position, the annual base salary target range is $96,000 - 105,000/yr, with potential eligibility for bonuses or commission depending on the role.

Summary:

The Master Scheduler III is responsible for leading the scheduling and facilities planning for complex commercial projects and multi-program portfolios. This role partners closely with Program Managers, customers, and cross-functional teams to ensure efficient utilization of resources, optimize capacity, and drive on-time project execution.

The position owns the integrity and optimization of scheduling systems (e.g., VLab), ensuring alignment between real-time operations and forecasted demand. The Master Scheduler III serves as a senior resource in resolving scheduling conflicts, improving processes, and driving standardization across departments. This role requires advanced technical understanding, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams in a dynamic, high-volume testing environment.

Primary Responsibilities:

Below are the highest priority responsibilities performed in this position.

The statements below are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.

They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

• Lead scheduling and capacity planning activities across multiple programs, departments, and testing disciplines.
• Oversee and ensure accuracy of VLab or equivalent scheduling systems, including real-time updates, forecasting, and capacity modeling.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve scheduling processes, tools, and best practices to enhance operational efficiency.
• Analyze resource utilization trends and recommend adjustments to optimize equipment and manpower allocation.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for complex scheduling conflicts, including equipment constraints, customer priority changes, or resource limitations.
• Coordinate cross-functional scheduling activities to ensure uninterrupted testing and alignment across departments.
• Partner with Program Managers and leadership to align schedules with contractual milestones, customer expectations, and delivery commitments.
• Monitor project timelines and proactively identify risks to on-time delivery; implement mitigation strategies.
• Build, maintain, and enhance lab capability and capacity matrices to support long-term planning and forecasting.
• Lead regular schedule review meetings with Operations, Engineering, and Program Management teams.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to schedulers or coordinators; may provide work direction or indirect leadership.
• Collaborate with Sales and Engineering on project planning inputs, including scope evaluation and feasibility assessments.
• Communicate schedule performance, risks, and recommendations to leadership and key stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma required.
• 5–8 years of experience in scheduling, production planning, or program scheduling in a technical or lab environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple complex projects or programs concurrently.
• Strong ability to read and interpret quotes, statements of work (SOWs), and testing standards.
• Advanced proficiency with scheduling systems (e.g., VLab, ERP/MRP systems) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Proven ability to resolve complex scheduling conflicts and manage competing priorities.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills across technical and operational teams.
• This role is on-site in a lab.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations, Engineering, Business, or related field.
• APICS certification or similar supply chain/planning certification.
• Prior experience in a testing laboratory environment (e.g., EMI, Environmental, Dynamics, or similar disciplines).
• Experience with capacity modeling, forecasting, and process improvement initiatives.
• Experience leading or mentoring team members.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of scheduling methodologies, resource planning, and capacity optimization.
• Strong understanding of technical testing workflows, equipment capabilities, and operational constraints.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and drive data-informed decision-making.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate and mitigate scheduling risks.
• High level of attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
• Effective leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Strong organizational and time management skills in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interface with all levels of the organization and external customers as needed.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

EEO Policy Statement:

It is the policy of Element US Space & Defense to offer Equal Employment Opportunity to all individuals without regards to race, creed, ancestry, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, physical disabilities, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions.